Kentucky State Police Investigate Attempted Murder Of Police Officer In Taylor County

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. (December 16, 2024) – Kentucky State Police (KSP) Post 15 is investigating a Taylor County man charged with attempted murder of a police officer.

On the afternoon of December 14, 2024, KSP Post 15 received a request for investigative assistance from the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO). Troopers and Detectives responded to a residence on Pops Road in Taylor County and launched an investigation. 

The preliminary investigation revealed that Sheriff Dickie Benningfield responded to a report of gunfire near a residence on Pops Road. Upon arrival, Sheriff Benningfield was standing next to his patrol vehicles, speaking with the individual who had reported the gunfire. Sheriff Benningfield heard several gunshots coming from a nearby residence and saw that several rounds of gunfire had struck his patrol vehicle. The Sheriff and Deputies went to the residence where the gunshots had emanated from, located Cody Laytart, 31, of Campbellsville, and placed him under arrest.  

Cody Laytart was lodged in the Taylor County Detention Center and was charged by TCSO Deputy Josh Durbin with the following charges: 

Attempted Murder of a First Responder (Peace Officer) 

Assault 3rd Degree (Police Officer)

Terroristic Threatening 2nd Degree

Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree

Resisting Arrest 

Alcohol Intoxication in a Public Place

Violation of Conditions of Release

KSP Detective B.J. Burton is continuing the investigation of the incident. The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office assisted Detective Burton at the scene.

(Trooper Jonathan Houk – Kentucky State Police)